Little Red Riding Hood - Utah

[SadieKate]

Petunia and SK’s Big Two State Ride
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/sadiek...pjIHDBDO6oabay

Since I’m at home today with a nasty sinus infection, it appears I have plenty of time to write up a ride report. Before I go on let me thank the powers that be for pharmaceuticals and pediatric nurses. Petunia knocked me out with Tylenol PM for the flight home so she wouldn’t have to listen to me screaming as my head exploded. She displayed some fine nursing skills.

Anyhoo, it turned out that usn’s that rode the full hundred got to ride two states! So, I saw my beloved southeastern Idaho, even if only for about 15 miles. We started in Wellsville, UT (hence “The Road to Wellsville” in an earlier post) where we were mighty scared by the Big, Bad Wolf. We then snaked our way up the beautiful Cache Valley. The snaking was so consistent (north, west, north, east and repeat) that we had a small mountain range that we called our “Home Mountains” as we could tell exactly where we were in relation to them. The valley has a lot of dairy industry so Petunia was relishing the smells of her home state of Wisconsin and she got to see her first yellow-headed Blackbird which is quite spectacular compared to it’s smaller California cousin who is sans yellow.

The rest stops were well-manned as the guys provided great support, food and encouragement. One rest stop was themed “Grandma’s House” and one was a tropical oasis with the guys in grass skirts. We girls got red jersey, T-shirts and hats with the ride logo, but the crew boys had brown T-shirts with a picture of a wolf and the caption “Big and Bad.” The first leg of the ride and the first rest stop were as usual the most crowded if you count a total of 870 riders a crowd. The Bonneville Bike Club is rightfully proud of the growing popularity of this event – about 25% a year. They had a terrific turnout and really put on a good ride. We found out later that their goal for next year is 1,000 riders. This would be a terrific first organized century or just an annual event it was so pretty (it's also the route for the MS150 ride).

The route itself just wound itself northward through the valley with only a few minor bumps in and out of drainages but we found out that a co-worker of Petunia’s hubby had it right about the wind. Due to the shape of the valley, the changing temps, weather pattern, something, we had head- or crosswinds almost the entire time. It wasn’t too bad going north but once we turned south it was pretty much a battle the entire way. We just found a speed we could maintain and spun along, with periodic gusts bouncing us across the road. At one point we were riding the same pace as the tractor tilling the field next to us. Fortunately, the traffic was so light we could ride side by side almost the entire way and chat so we could keep each other inspired. Since there were no ups, there were no gravity-assisted breaks and we had to power through the whole ride.

When we rode into Idaho there were no “Welcome to Spud-land” signs but we finally found the Fairview, Idaho sign (population 5?) and took the required tourist pics. Then as we crossing back into Utah we did find two fancier signs at the same intersection. Some other riders had stopped there and we asked one if she had time to take our picture at both signs and she said her crotch said she had the time! We’ve all been there. So, she took our pic at the pretty Idaho sign and we scuttled across the intersection for the photo in front of the Utah sign. Required tourist shots! Those rain clouds up Idaho way stayed north of us for the entire ride. Whew!

Only semi-bad event of the day was the flat on my front wheel only 16 miles from the end. We’re hot, we’re tired, our butts are hurting because we’ve been mtnbiking not road riding leading up to this event, but I get the flat changed pronto and just as I’m starting to use my little frame pump wishing for a floor pump a SAG pulls up. 15 secs later I’m downing some Cytomax prior to saddling up again when a 2nd SAG pulls up. These Big and Bad guys are really GOOD!

Petunia finished up with photos of the pass out of the Cache Valley as we drove home. All the mountains still had snow on them and everything was incredibly green due to the wet spring.

The last pic is of us at lunch with my MIL (who will be a 95 next month and going strong) before we headed for the airport. Terrific trip, lucked out with the weather (stoms before and after), great scenery, people, etc., etc., etc.

Note to self: remember to put pedal wrench in check-through baggage next time as the TSA believes it can be used as a weapon.